Cougar Cash and Dining Dollars

Cougar Cash and Dining Dollars can be accessed with a tap of your Cougar Card. Cougar Cash allows you to draw on pre-deposited funds to purchase products and services on campus. It acts like a personal debit card.

Dining Dollars can be used for food purchases from on-campus dining locations and select vending machines. All meal plans come with a pre-set amount of Dining Dollars and more can be added at any time. 

How does it work?

To open a Cougar Cash Account simply make a deposit using any of the methods described below. If you have a meal plan, you start the semester with Dining Dollars and can add more. Funds for Cougar Cash and Dining Dollars roll over from semester to semester and year to year.

To make a purchase, simply present your Cougar Card at any participating location and the funds will be withdrawn from your account. You can access your balance and transaction history using the Cougar Card Portal or obtain a complete account statement at Campus Services HQ.

Where can I use funds?

You can use your Cougar Cash at any of the following locations. Dining Dollars are accepted at campus dining locations.

If a cardholder has both Dining Dollars and Cougar Cash, food purchases always come from Dining Dollars first, then Cougar Cash. If Dining Dollars run out, food purchases will be deducted from Cougar Cash automatically. Vending purchases are deducted from Cougar Cash first, Dining Dollars second. 

Making Deposits

Students, employees and guests can easily make deposits to their Cougar Cash or Dining Dollars accounts online, by mail or in person.
  • Online (App)

    All major credit cards may be used. Deposits are not subject to a convenience fee and will be available immediately.

    1. Open and sign into the Cougar Card Portal app (eAccounts). To add the app to your smartphone, follow the steps for iPhone or Android.
    2. Tap Add Money at the bottom of the Accounts section.
    3. Select which account you wish to add money to (Cougar Cash or Dining Dollars). Then follow all prompts to add funds to your account.
  • Online (Web)

    All major credit cards may be used. Deposits are not subject to a convenience fee and will be available immediately.

    1. Log into the Cougar Card Portal using your MyPortal credentials.
    2. On the left-hand side, click +Add Money under Cougar Cash or Dining Dollars.
    3. Complete all fields on the Make Account Deposit page. Note: If you add a new payment method, follow on steps on that screen and click Submit.
    4. You'll see a Deposit Confirmation page once you've completed all steps. You must still click Make Deposit to complete the transaction.

    Guest Deposits

    1. Go to the Cougar Card Portal and click Make a guest deposit.
    2. Enter the student or employee's last name and CWID, then click Continue.
    3. Complete all fields on the Make Account Deposit page. Note: If you add a new payment method, follow on steps on that screen and click Submit.
    4. You'll see a Deposit Confirmation page once you've completed all steps. You must still click Make Deposit to complete the transaction.
  • By Mail

    Complete a check or money order paid to Campus Services HQ, College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424. Please mark the item with the student’s name, student ID number and Cougar Cash or Dining Dollars.

  • In Person

    Campus Services HQ
    162 Calhoun Street
    Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

    Deposits may be made using cash, check, money order or major credit card. Funds will be active immediately.

    Card Value Center
    Addlestone Library
    Deposit as little as $1 for immediate use. Only cash is accepted at this location.

    The College of Charleston is prohibited by law from performing banking transactions and therefore cannot make full or partial refunds to students still enrolled in school. Cash may not be withdrawn from the Cougar Cash Account and the card will not function as an ATM card.

Account Features

Ease. It’s easy to start a Cougar Cash Account by simply making a deposit. Dining Dollars are already loaded when you get a meal plan.

Safety. Carrying the Cougar Card is safer than carrying cash, checks, ATM or other cards. Your account number is not printed on the card.

Savings. There are no monthly service charges or fees, and there is no required minimum balance.

Account Closure / Refunds

Cougar Cash and Dining Dollars accounts will be closed if the cardholder ceases to be a student at the College of Charleston. No refunds will be issued for account balances less than $10. 

  • For students taking a leave absence or withdrawing from the College: Once you complete the proper paperwork through the Academic Success and Retention Office, Campus Services HQ will be notified and will issue any available refund.
  • For graduating students: Please complete a Refund Request Form. Campus Services will refund the account balance upon its receipt.

Refunds are credited to the student eBill. If the refund results in a credit on the student eBill and if the student has a direct deposit account on file with the College, the refund will be deposited directly to that account; otherwise, the College of Charleston will mail a check to the cardholder at the permanent address on record with the College. If the student has a balance on their eBill, the refund will act as a credit towards the balance owed.

The College of Charleston reserves the right to close any account that is inactive for 18 months or more. Balances in accounts that are inactive for more than 18 months will be reclaimed.

Refund Request Form